Komando Q&A: Get your Windows 10 upgrade

Q: I hate Windows 7. I’m really looking forward to the Windows 10. When will I be able to upgrade?

A: While Windows 10 is launching July 29, very few people are going to actually get the upgrade that day. Microsoft is rolling out Windows 10 in stages starting with people in the Insider program. After 10 is working well for them, it will go to people who reserved a copy using the reservation system in Windows 7 and 8. Even that’s going to take a while because Microsoft is upgrading small groups one at a time. If you aren’t an Insider and didn’t reserve your copy, it’s going to be a while, expect months.

Q: Like a recent caller on your national radio show, my computer died and between my smartphone and my tablet I don’t miss it that much. But how do I print things?

A: Both Apple and Android gadgets include wireless printing systems. Apple has AirPrint and Android has Google Cloud Print. If you have a compatible wireless printer on your network, your gadget should detect it, connect and let you print with a tap. There are also third-party apps like Paper Hammermill (Android, Apple; free) that work with a wider range of printers. Of course, it isn’t always as easy as it should be.

Q: I’m thinking about upgrading to an iPhone 6, but isn’t a new iPhone coming soon?

A: The next iPhone, which could be the iPhone 6s or iPhone 7, is rumored to have some interesting goodies. The biggest addition is a “Force Touch” display that not only registers touch, but pressure. That means you can make different things happen based on how hard you tap or press the screen. There should also be a faster processor, more storage space, and possibly a 12 megapixel camera to replace the current 8MP version.

Q: I don’t get the whole selfie thing, but my daughter and her friends take them all day long. What do you think this is going to do to society in the future?

A: The selfie craze isn’t dying down, and some companies have decided to accommodate the selfie-loving generation. MasterCard, for example, is starting a trial of a system that lets you confirm payments by taking a selfie instead of typing in complex passwords. It’s actually just a fun way to say “facial recognition.” So far, facial recognition hasn’t proved to be too secure on mobile gadgets, but MasterCard thinks it can make it work.

Q: My daughter is constantly posting her vacation pictures on Facebook. I tell her this isn’t safe. She says I am paranoid.

A: Tell your daughter this: Over 75 percent of convicted burglars admitted that they use social media to target victims. These criminals only need a rough idea of where you live and access to Google Street View to start casing your home. Depending on where she posts her photos, she could also be revealing her exact location. Suggest that she wait until she’s safely home to post vacation stories. And instead of sharing potentially sensitive photos across social networks, create a private photo album on a site like Flickr or Google Photos.